Diane Gail McLaughlin, 61

The children of Diane McLaughlin said goodbye to their mom on April 28, 2010, at her home in Spokane Valley, Wash. Diane had fought a courageous battle against multiple sclerosis for over 30 years. Diane was born to Daryl and Dorothy Lyngard in Whitefish on Dec. 13, 1948. She attended school in Cut Bank, and later their family moved to Kalispell, where she graduated from high school in 1967. Diane married Hugh McLaughlin and they had three children, Bryan, Jennifer and Elizabeth. The family resided in Kalispell and Diane lived there until 2007, when she moved to Spokane Valley to enjoy living near her daughters and their families. Diane s beautiful smile was contagious and her friends were many. All who knew her admired her positive outlook on life, her sense of humor, and her ability to bloom where she was planted. Visitors were always treated like Diane s best friend, and always left her room inspired. Her children and family admired and cherished her. Diane s strong faith in God was evident in the way she lived her life. She was an example of inner strength, courage and family devotion. She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Jennifer and Gene Fogelson of Spokane Valley, and Elizabeth and Sam Rambo of Kennewick, Wash.; her son, Bryan, and Shauna McLaughlin of Kalispell; her sisters, Joanne and Roger Young of Buckley, Wash., and Jan and Scott Weidner of Enumclaw, Wash.; four grandchildren, Breanna, Zayne, Gabrielle and Alex; many nieces and nephews; and her many friends in Washington and Montana. A service in memory of Diane s life will be held at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.